Ravenswood 2001 Zinfandel, Teldeschi Dry Creek Valley

This is a purplish wine with hints of brown, and the deep colors perhaps serve to prepare you for the rich and almost heady experience that follows. The nose is somewhat raisiny, and the alcohol is definitely a bit on the hot side, which is a shame because hiding beneath it are tantalizingly rich aromas of new leather and cooked sugar. The palate, however, offers a few pleasant surprises: The alcohol is less pronounced than the nose implies, and while it’s still a bit raisiny, there are some lovely flavors of coffee and dark berries. The medium tannins are nice, but the finish is disappointingly and surprisingly short.

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